Git : Getting it — Fast Version Control System

Posted by Rakesh under Research, Technology, Work

Git is a free & open source, distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.

Every Git clone is a full-fledged repository with complete history and full revision tracking capabilities, not dependent on network access or a central server. Branching and merging are fast and easy to do.

Git is used for version control of files, much like tools such as Mercurial, Bazaar, Subversion, CVS, Perforce, and Visual SourceSafe.

Why Linus name it Git…

Linus Torvalds has quipped about the name “git”, which is British English slang for a stupid or unpleasant person: “I’m an egotistical bastard, and I name all my projects after myself. First Linux, now git.” This self-deprecating humor is tongue-in-cheek, as Torvalds was actually pressured into naming Linux after himself.

How Git started…

Git development began after many Linux kernel developers were forced to give up access to the proprietary BitKeeper system. The ability to use BitKeeper free of charge had been withdrawn by the copyright holder Larry McVoy after he claimed Andrew Tridgell had reverse engineered the BitKeeper protocols in violation of the BitKeeper license. At Linux.Conf.Au 2005, Tridgell demonstrated during his keynote that the reverse engineering process he had used was simply to telnet to the appropriate port of a BitKeeper server and type “help”.

Torvalds wanted a distributed system that he could use like BitKeeper, but none of the available free systems met his needs, particularly his performance needs.

Torvalds design criteria…

1. Take CVS as an example of what not to do; if in doubt, make the exact opposite decision. To quote Torvalds, speaking somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

2. Support a distributed, BitKeeper-like workflow

3. Very strong safeguards against corruption, either accidental or malicious

4. Very high performance

Design…

Git’s design was inspired by BitKeeper and Monotone. Git was originally designed as a low-level version control system engine on top of which others could write front ends, such as Cogito or StGIT. However, the core Git project has since become a complete revision control system that is usable directly.

Git Quick Start…

Cloning and Creating a Patch…

$ git clone git://github.com/git/hello-world.git

$ cd hello-world

$ (edit files)

$ git add (files)

$ git commit -m ‘Explain what I changed’

$ git format-patch origin/master

Creating and Commiting….

$ cd (project-directory)

$ git init

$ (add some files)

$ git add .

$ git commit -m ‘Initial commit’

Developed…

Original author: Linus Torvalds

Developer: Junio Hamano, Linus Torvalds

Stable release: 1.6.4.2 (2009-08-29; 44 hours ago) [+/−]

Written in: C, Bourne Shell, Perl

Operating system: POSIX

Type: Revision control

License: GNU General Public License v2

Website: http://git-scm.com

Catch the i: My new car i10 Magna Kappa 1.2 (M) – Blushing Red

Posted by Rakesh under FYI, Life, Nxt, Technology

Few months ago, I had planned to buy a new car because my old car was having some problems, consuming more and I also got bored of it. So I started wondering for new car. My plan was to buy a middle segment car because a big car takes more space for driving and parking .. you know, it’s very difficult to drive on Delhi’s busy and crowded road. As we all know, there are lots of middle segment car in the market. Well, choosing the best out of them is a real difficult task but not impossible, hmmmm…I have to opt one of them.

I thought I should research first before buying a new car. And I did that a lot..:-), got to learned a lot of pros from my old car as far as handling, driving and maintenance are concerned. So I was planning a car which has decent look with attractive interiors, good mileage (at least 15 km/l) which my initial car has been giving me, low maintenance cost, good market re-sale value and popular as well, so that if the car breaks down on the highway or somewhere else, I can easily phone a mechanic for help i.e. car service provider should be available where and whenever needed assistance.

After researching a lot..gone through so many reviews, visiting several showrooms and analyzing cars (by giving a look) on Delhi road, I decided to buy Hyundai’s i10 (also I liked CHEVROLET UVA but its cost was little above my budget and there are very few service centers of General Motors in India, I thought I might face problems if I go out of the town that’s why I dropped this idea). I would say – choosing a car under my budget, is really a difficult task and tedious job which I did. Once I decided to buy i10 .. for me it was easier to go for next steps.

My wife and I, visited a showroom (call Hyundai Himgiri) which is near to my house, when I saw the interiors of i10..I got caught into.. it was awesome..ahhh…wow!! that’s actually I was looking for…. then I asked sales executive about its mileage, she said it’s 16.5 km after first servicing but before that it will give you approximately 13 km/l — well, I thought it fits in my requirement because I want to buy a car which gives mileage at least 15 km.

There are several models available in i10 – based on features and technology used. As per my requirement, I opted i10 Magna Kappa 1.2 and body – metallic and color – Blushing Red, as this is my wife’s favorite color and now I like too.. it’s really very eye catching car.. I know it demands more care and maintenance ..but I am ready for this because I love to care of something that I like most.

This car impressed me so much with its features, interiors, styles and the most important thing that it’s an eye catchy that I finally booked i10 Magna Kappa 1.2 Metallic (Blushing Red) immediately the same day I visited the showroom without wasting my time. It was 11 August the day I booked. It took a week just to process to deliver my car.

Well, it was 23 August 2009, the day finally my new baby gonna come home!

The sales executive asked me to come in the afternoon at 3:00 pm and I was eagerly waiting for.. it was Sunday and I got ready and then the clock struck 2:00 pm..as I was about to leave I got a call from the executive and she asked me to come at 5:00 pm because the car didn’t reach to the showroom yet. I was little worried because I didn’t want to get my car delivered in dark. In the mean while, many things were going on in my mind about the car like delivery checklists and all but the time was going so slow but finally the clock struck 4:30 pm and I just can’t stop myself to get ready to reach before they call me again . My wife and I reached the showroom on time at 5:00 pm sharp… as I entered the showroom unfortunately there was a power cut. It’s was too hot inside .. without air conditioning my whole zest and excitement going down..:-( There was so crowd in the showroom as it was Sunday which was making the whole atmosphere dull and lazy. After an hour power came and we got relaxed…Aaahhhh!

The sales executive came to me and asked to complete the further procedure. She told me that before delivery, each car is thoroughly cleaned inside and out that’s why there is delay in delivery. We waited for another hour and then at 7:30 pm we got delivered the car..:-) It was too late and also dark which I didn’t want but it happened actually..my wife was on fast so my concentration was on her only because she was not feeling well due to this the checklists which is to be followed before delivery, I didn’t go through it. My intention was to reach home somehow as soon as possible. So, I just gave a quick look on wheels, manufacturing date, engine and odometer (mileage — how much distanced traveled before delivery and found it was okay and I was satisfied) and few more things. I was in hurry though but still I didn’t forget to give some tip to delivery boys. When I gave tip to them they were so happy and gave me a good smile. After that the sales executive finally trying to hand over my car’s keys but I asked her please give it to my wife then she gave the keys to my wife and finally my wife gave it to me..:-) saying this is our new car and lets go..then I took the keys with a big smile and drove away from there and reached home at 8:00pm. This way I brought my baby home.

Though the day was so hectic and long but we still enjoyed it. My all tiredness weared off after driving my new car. It is so cool and giving so comforts to me. I feel like I’m in a plane. The driving is very smooth, soundless and no jerk at all, air conditioning is so cool that it makes my drive so peacefully. I experienced in some of the cars, the pickup will be very poor if the AC is on i.e. the pickup goes into full humbucking but with i10 I experienced that the AC doesn’t affect the pick-up.. it’s giving proper cooling even if the pickup goes up, there is no humbucking.

It’s only one week old baby… so, as I experience different situations with different individual, I will continue to share my experiences..

Happy Motoring with i10 !!

Is there really a Google Sandbox?

Posted by Rakesh under Technology

What is Google’s Sandbox?

First I let you explain what does mean by Sandbox. In computer security, a sandbox is a security mechanism for separating running programs. It is often used to execute untested code, or untrusted programs from unverified third-parties, suppliers and untrusted users.

The sandbox typically provides a tightly-controlled set of resources for guest programs to run in, such as scratch space on disk and memory. Network access, the ability to inspect the host system or read from input devices are usually disallowed or heavily restricted. In this sense, sandboxes are a specific example of virtualization.

The Sandbox is a phenomenon that people have claimed to observe in the ranking of web pages that is performed by Google. Its existence has been written about but not confirmed, and several observers state that they have observed the contrary to what is claimed for this perceived phenomenon.

The Google Sandbox Effect is a theory used to explain why newly-registered domains or domains with frequent ownership changes rank poorly in Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS). In other words new websites are put into a “sandbox” or a holding area and have their search ratings on hold until they can prove worthy of ranking.

Once Google deems a website to be of quality and importance the website will be removed from the Sandbox and can potentially show up high in Google Search Engine Results Pages. Webmasters can do numerous things to improve their website with Google, but time really is the key in getting out of the Sandbox. Sandbox believers say it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year and sometimes longer before Google will promote a website out of the Sandbox.

Because Google does not acknowledge the Sandbox and it has not been clearly proven the Sandbox Effect is just a theory. Even though it is just a theory, the Sandbox is believed by the majority of webmasters. The Sandbox is believed to have come about in 2004 when changes to Google’s Algorithm made it so new websites were banned from the top of Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS).

It may seem that the Sandbox is unfair to newly launched websites, but Google created the Sandbox with good reasons. Google was trying to discourage spam sites from quickly reaching the top of Search Results, getting dropped off Google, creating a new site and repeatedly showing up high in Search Results. In the past, companies would put up a promotional website for a short period of time and once the promotion was over the website was gone. These promotional websites would still show up high in Google Search Engine Results even after they were removed, causing many broken links and unhappy Google searchers.

Even with the Sandbox Effect it is still possible for newly launched websites to make it to the top of Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS). If Google deems a new website of being worthy it can be seen in Search Engine Results immediately, but it can still take up to 6 months for the website to rank to its fullest potential. There are many ways in which web designers use to avoid the Sandbox, some of which are discussed below. But because of its uncertainty, even if all algorithm variables are followed there is still no way to guarantee new websites from being put in the Sandbox.
How can you tell if you are in Google’s Sandbox?

Now that you know what the Sandbox is it is important to learn how to tell if a site is in the Sandbox. Before determining if a website has been put in the Sandbox you need to find out if the entire site was dropped from Google or if it has just been ranked down for certain keyword phrases.

Start by doing a search in Google for your site. To do this type: “ site:www.yourdomain.com ” in the Google Search bar (replace “yourdomain.com” with your site URL). If Google does not return any results than most likely your entire website has been dropped by Google. If Google shows your website in the results and your website recently dropped down in keyword rankings, than you are still indexed by Google and it is likely that you were placed in the Sandbox.

New websites start out on the bottom with a zero page rank but with time the site can start ranking up. Does your website have a pagerank but it is still not showing up in Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS)? If that is the case, your website is more than likely in the Sandbox. Often times a new website can have a pagerank after a short period of time, rank high in Google Search Results and then all of a sudden disappear from Google Search Results. When this happens it is likely that the site was put into Google’s Sandbox. Many people are left asking themselves why? There is no one answer as to why websites get put into the Sandbox, but below is a list of things thought to affect website’s placement with Google.

Factors affecting a website’s Google placement

Google’s Sandbox is not an exact science, so the exact factors which affect a website’s placement in Google are not known. However, there are many proven tactics which can affect the placement of a website which are listed below.

* It is possible that someone else spammed people under your domain. This can occur when a domain expires for a short period of time and during that time another person takes over that domain and puts up a spam site.
* Has someone stolen the content from your website? If they have than it is likely it has been published on numerous other websites. And as many people know duplicate content and copyright infringement is not good for websites.
* Has your server been down or been having problems? Google might have come to index your website when your site was down causing their spiders to not find any content. This means that the most recent index of your site will not show anything.
* Do you keep up with Google’s algorithm? If not, it is possible that Google has changed its algorithm factors and your website no longer meets Google’s placement factors.
* Do you have any bad links on your website? Having broken links on your site could greatly affect your Google ranking. If you linked to a website a long time ago it is good practice to check back and make sure the site is still legit (and not a spam site) because linking to a bad site can also affect your Google ranking.
* Is your domain brand new? It is best to buy an old or expired domain, but if that is not possible it is good to make a domain active for some time before you intend to build your new website.
* It is thought that sites which go after the more competitive and popular keywords are more likely to get placed in the Sandbox. To avoid this, start a new website by going after less competitive keywords and work your way up with time.

In conclusion, the majority of new websites get put into Google’s Sandbox. If a website gets put into the Sandbox, it typically takes six months to one year to get out and be placed in Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS). But if planned and built properly it is possible for new websites to avoid Google’s Sandbox.

Dine out with folks from work at Chandni Chowk!

Posted by Rakesh under Life

I always like visiting some places, eating something, traveling somewhere and seeing something obvious for the first time.

Yesterday it was our 62nd Independence Day. On this our special occasion, as coined Red Fort monument name in my mind, I made a flashback in my memory, you know – what happened last month.. as usual I was in my office and working on something. Before leaving for my home, one of my co-workers sent a message on the terminal of my work station – “Kya Aaj Chandni Chowk wala – Parathe Wali Gali Chalein” (how it would be to go to “lane of parantha-makers”…) and Jama Masjid as well for chillout. I said, Hmmm…..let me think. Since I have been living in Delhi for last fourteen years but I never planned before to visit this famous place. So, without thinking much I decided to go there along with my colleagues.

First, let you know about Gali Paranthe Wali (literally “the bylane of fried bread”) – it is the name of a narrow street in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, India, noted for its series of shops selling paratha, a fried Indian bread, and now a popular culinary destination. Paranthe Wali Gali (”lane of parantha-makers”) in Old Delhi is a famous gourmet localities of the world.

According to last minute plan, we left for this place in the evening and I remembered it was 28th July 2009. As I use my own car for going office…when we came out from our office it started raining and after talking with one another we decided – why not we go there by metro… then I said what would I do with my car. Some of us took metro for Rajouri Garden and I reached Rajouri Garden metro station with three co-workers and there I parked my car. From there we all together took metro and reached Chawri Bazaar metro station. One of my colleagues is resident of Chandni chowk who is familiar with this place very well and he was guiding us to reach Gali Parathe Wali.

Before going Gali Parathe wali, we decided to see Jama Masjid of Delhi. As we reached Jama Masjid, we all got wet as it was rainy season but for last one month all Delhiites were praying for rain and finally it rained that day we were all feeling very happy and cool. Rain after a long time brought relief to us.

As we reached at the entrance gate of mosque, one of my fellow friends asked us to put off our shoes and carry it in our respective hands before stepping in the mosque. I didn’t have any idea about  this. I never went to a mosque before this trip that’s why I were unaware of these customs. So I asked one of my fellows to explain the reason – why we actually put off the shoes at entrance gate and carry it???

He explained the reason that as ritual purification precedes all prayers, mosques often have ablution fountains or other facilities for washing in their entryways or courtyards.

After putting off our shoes, we entered in Jama Masjid mosque and took entry tickets for entering lofty minarets – there are two lofty minarets – it’s 30 feet high, and containing 130 steps.  longitudinally striped with white marble and red sandstone, flank the domes on either side. The minarets are divided by three projecting galleries and are surmounted by open twelve-sided domed pavilions.

We entered in one of minarets – as went up the minaret and when we were going up, it was dark inside the minaret’s stairs and finally we reached to the top of the minaret – Wow! we can see the town clearly and very well, so we took some snaps from there to capture these memorable moments.

When we came down-stairs – we gave tip to a care taker of the minarets and he became very happy giving a big smile to all of us. After that we went to the mosque’s ablution fountain (facilities for washing) in courtyard for ritual purification. One of my friends said, “the prayer is about to start and therefore he is leaving for prayer” and rest of us waiting there for him at courtyard and other at the gate of the entrance.

After prayer he came back and then we put on our shoes and took rickshaw to reach Gali Parathe Wali (”lane of parantha-makers”) and on the way to this place it started raining again, the street was so narrow, crowded and very busy, and due to this traffic was very slow… We were just about to reach there but it was raining so heavily that somehow we managed to reach Gali Parathe Wali. Then we relaxed for sometime and gradually ordered for different varieties of paratha for which we came here. Well, the paratha includes exotic fillings like Kaju, Badam, Matar, Mix Paranthas, Rabri parantha etc. The parantha was served with a side of sweet tamarind chutney, mint chutney, mixed vegetable pickle, a paneer and potato curry, potato and fenugreek curry, and a sauteed mash of sweet pumpkin (sitaphal).

We had varieties of parathas there. While having parathas in dinner it was raining heavily which was awesome! As we finished our food we saw lanes and road were completely inundated with water .. still it was raining — you know water went up to knee height. Then we, three of us, decided to take rickshaw to reach metro station. But other were still saying – “let’s go to have some ice-cream, too”. But I said no because rain has worsen the road condition and we should leave before getting stuck. So it would be better to leave for home now. They said , “we are going to have ice-cream in Giani Ice-cream Parlor which is famous in Chandani Chowk. I said – okay, if you guys want to have some dessert then you can go. We divided into two groups – one group headed to Giani and other group in which I was decided to leave for home. Thus, we took quick walk to the nearest metro station but after traveling some distance we noticed some drainage covers were opened. The heavy rain led to the inundation of Chandni Chowk and city  road as well. The clogged drains led to the mixing of sewage with rainwater at many places causing hardship to the vehicles or footpath goer. It was still raining heavily. I meant to say, it was very risky to walk on the road and footpath as because it was inundated with water — went to knee height. So I suggested to hire a rickshaw and this way we three guys reached metro station and later we came to know other guys also decided to leave for home.

One of the guys was carrying a laptop in a bag and other friend’s mobile and he noticed that his laptop as well as the mobile got wet. Now, both got worried because his mobile stopped working and he could not make a call. At the metro station, both guys re-checked the laptop and mobile and found that the laptop was working apparently but mobile wasn’t.

Well, at metro station we put off our shoes and squeezed them and again wore it. We guys were waiting for a metro to arrive and finally got into the metro. At the other stoppage some passengers were getting in but can’t find space so one of my friends, got down the metro to let the passenger out but he could not get in and the door closed. It was just a funny moment for all of us because we know once the door is closed no one can enter. Well, we reached the destination and he further reached his place somehow..

As I had parked my car near Rajouri Garden Station so I took my car from there and make my way to home. While driving I got stuck in traffic jam due to heavy rain which took me thrice the time to reach my home as compare to normal schedule. Well, somehow I too, reached my home and instantly took bath because I had walked in dirty water and after taking bath I went to bed without wasting time..:-) as I was too tired.

Really I will never forget this day. It was really fun going there and fantastic as well as memorable day of my life, I have never experienced before. Though I got tired and faced so much difficulties but the most important thing is that I enjoyed a lot.

Read full version.

Hangout at Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid

Posted by Rakesh under Life

I always like visiting some places, eating something, traveling somewhere and seeing something obvious for the first time.

Today is our 62nd Independence Day. Once again we renewed our commitment to our nation with great zeal and enthusiasm to make India strong, progressive and prosperous.

India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in attendance. The main event takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at  the Red Fort. A colourful pageant showcasing India’s cultural diversity, symbolic depictions of the country’s advances in science and technology, and a joint display of India’s military capabilities by the armed forces are an essential part of the Independence Day celebrations.

On this our special occasion, as coined Red Fort monument name in my mind, I made a flashback in my memory, you know – what happened last month.. as usual I was in my office and working on something. Before leaving for my home, one of my co-workers sent a message on the terminal of my work station – “Kya Aaj Chandni Chowk wala – Parathe Wali Gali Chalein” (how it would be to go to “lane of parantha-makers”…) and Jama Masjid as well for chillout. I said, Hmmm…..let me think. Since I have been living in Delhi for last fourteen years but I never planned before to visit this famous place. So, without thinking much I decided to go there along with my colleagues.

Chandni Chowk was established in 1650 and was built along with the Red Fort under the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan.

First, let you know about Gali Paranthe Wali (literally “the bylane of fried bread”) – it is the name of a narrow street in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, India, noted for its series of shops selling paratha, a fried Indian bread, and now a popular culinary destination. Paranthe Wali Gali (”lane of parantha-makers”) in Old Delhi is a famous gourmet localities of the world.

From the 20 parantha shops in the late 1960s (all belonging to branches of the same family), three remain. Pt Kanhaiyalal Durgaprasad (estd 1875), Pt Dayanand Shivcharan (estd 1882). Pt Baburam Devidayal Paranthewale (estd 1886). By 1911 this area, known as Chota Dariba or Dariba Kalan, got the name as Paranthewali Gali.

In late 1980s many of them closed shop and moved out, though today this place is experiencing a revival; and some shops are being run by the sixth generation of the same family.

The food is old fashioned, strictly vegetarian, and cooked dishes do not include onion or garlic, since the owners are brahmins, and traditionally their clientale has included Jains in the neighborhood. Varieties include exotic fillings like Kaju, Badam, Matar, Mix Paranthas, rabri parantha etc. The parantha is usually served with a side of sweet tamarind chutney, mint chutney, mixed vegetable pickle, a paneer and potato curry, potato and fenugreek curry, and a sauteed mash of sweet pumpkin (sitaphal).

According to last minute plan, we left for this place in the evening and I remembered it was 28th July 2009. As I use my own car for going office…when we came out from our office it started raining and after talking with one another we decided – why not we go there by metro… then I said what would I do with my car. Some of us took metro for Rajouri Garden and I reached Rajouri Garden metro station with three co-workers and there I parked my car. From there we all together took metro and reached Chawri Bazaar metro station. One of my colleagues is resident of Chandni chowk who is familiar with this place very well and he was guiding us to reach Gali Parathe Wali.

Before going Gali Parathe wali, we decided to see Masjid-i Jahān-Numā, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India. It lies at the origin of a very busy central street of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk.

Shah Jahan built several important mosques in Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Lahore. The Jama Masjid’s floorplan is very similar to the Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, but the Jamia Masjid is the bigger and more imposing of the two. Its majesty is further enhanced because of the high ground that he selected for building this mosque. The architecture and design of the slightly larger Badshahi Mosque of Lahore built by Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb in 1673 is closely related to the Jamia Masjid in Delhi.

As we reached Jama Masjid, we all got wet as it was rainy season but for last one month all Delhiites were praying for rain and finally it rained that day we were all feeling very happy and cool. Rain after a long time brought relief to us.

As we reached at the entrance gate of mosque, one of my fellow friends asked us to put off our shoes and carry it in our respective hands before stepping in the mosque. I didn’t have any idea about  this. I never went to a mosque before this trip that’s why I were unaware of these customs. So I asked one of my fellows to explain the reason – why we actually put off the shoes at entrance gate and carry it???

He explained the reason that as ritual purification precedes all prayers, mosques often have ablution fountains or other facilities for washing in their entryways or courtyards. However, worshippers at much smaller mosques often have to use restrooms to perform their ablutions. In traditional mosques, this function is often elaborated into a freestanding building in the center of a courtyard. This desire for cleanliness extends to the prayer halls where shoes are disallowed to be worn anywhere other than the cloakroom. Thus, foyers with shelves to put shoes and racks to hold coats are commonplace among mosques.

After putting off our shoes, we entered in Jama Masjid mosque and took entry tickets for entering lofty minarets – there are two lofty minarets – it’s 30 feet (41 m) high, and containing 130 steps, longitudinally striped with white marble and red sandstone, flank the domes on either side. The minarets are divided by three projecting galleries and are surmounted by open twelve-sided domed pavilions.

The mosque faces west. Its three sides are covered with open arched colonnades, each having a lofty tower-like gateway in the centre. The mosque is about 261 feet (80 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) wide, and its roof is covered with three domes with alternate stripes of black and white marble, with its topmost parts covered with gold. On the back of the mosque, there are four small minarets crowned like those in the front.

We entered in one of minarets – as went up the minaret and when we were going up, it was dark inside the minaret’s stairs and finally we reached to the top of the minaret – Wow! we can see the town clearly and very well, so we took some snaps from there to capture these memorable moments.

When we came down-stairs – we gave tip to a care taker of the minarets and he became very happy giving a big smile to all of us. After that we went to the mosque’s ablution fountain (facilities for washing) in courtyard for ritual purification. One of my friends said, “the prayer is about to start and therefore he is leaving for prayer” and rest of us waiting there for him at courtyard and other at the gate of the entrance.

After prayer he came back and then we put on our shoes and took rickshaw to reach Gali Parathe Wali (”lane of parantha-makers”) and on the way to this place it started raining again, the street was so narrow, crowded and very busy, and due to this traffic was very slow… We were just about to reach there but it was raining so heavily that somehow we managed to reach Gali Parathe Wali. Then we relaxed for sometime and gradually ordered for different varieties of paratha for which we came here. Well, the paratha includes exotic fillings like Kaju, Badam, Matar, Mix Paranthas, Rabri parantha etc. The parantha was served with a side of sweet tamarind chutney, mint chutney, mixed vegetable pickle, a paneer and potato curry, potato and fenugreek curry, and a sauteed mash of sweet pumpkin (sitaphal).

We had varieties of parathas there. While having parathas in dinner it was raining heavily which was awesome! As we finished our food we saw lanes and road were completely inundated with water .. still it was raining — you know water went up to knee height. Then we, three of us, decided to take rickshaw to reach metro station. But other were still saying – “let’s go to have some ice-cream, too”. But I said no because rain has worsen the road condition and we should leave before getting stuck. So it would be better to leave for home now. They said , “we are going to have ice-cream in Giani Ice-cream Parlor which is famous in Chandani Chowk. I said – okay, if you guys want to have some dessert then you can go. We divided into two groups – one group headed to Giani and other group in which I was decided to leave for home. Thus, we took quick walk to the nearest metro station but after traveling some distance we noticed some drainage covers were opened. The heavy rain led to the inundation of Chandni Chowk and city  road as well. The clogged drains led to the mixing of sewage with rainwater at many places causing hardship to the vehicles or footpath goer. It was still raining heavily. I meant to say, it was very risky to walk on the road and footpath as because it was inundated with water — went to knee height. So I suggested to hire a rickshaw and this way we three guys reached metro station and later we came to know other guys also decided to leave for home.

One of the guys was carrying a laptop in a bag and other friend’s mobile and he noticed that his laptop as well as the mobile got wet. Now, both got worried because his mobile stopped working and he could not make a call. At the metro station, both guys re-checked the laptop and mobile and found that the laptop was working apparently but mobile wasn’t.

Well, at metro station we put off our shoes and squeezed them and again wore it. We guys were waiting for a metro to arrive and finally got into the metro. At the other stoppage some passengers were getting in but can’t find space so one of my friends, got down the metro to let the passenger out but he could not get in and the door closed. It was just a funny moment for all of us because we know once the door is closed no one can enter. Well, we reached the destination and he further reached his place somehow..

As I had parked my car near Rajouri Garden Station so I took my car from there and make my way to home. While driving I got stuck in traffic jam due to heavy rain which took me thrice the time to reach my home as compare to normal schedule. Well, somehow I too, reached my home and instantly took bath because I had walked in dirty water and after taking bath I went to bed without wasting time..:-) as I was too tired.

Really I will never forget this day. It was really fun going there and fantastic as well as memorable day of my life, I have never experienced before. Though I got tired and faced so much difficulties but the most important thing is that I enjoyed a lot.